Where’s my refund?

Where's my refund?

Are you waiting on a tax refund from the IRS and wondering when you’ll get your money? Tracking your tax refund is easy with the IRS Where’s My Refund tool. In this article, we will show you check the status of your refund and find out when to expect your tax refund.

The IRS issues most federal tax refunds within 21 days of receiving your federal income tax return. However, it may take longer for your refund to arrive if you filed a paper tax return or if additional verification is needed. Using the IRS refund tracker helps you follow your income tax refund every step of the way.

When will I get my tax refund?

The IRS issues 9 out of 10 federal tax refunds within 21 days of accepting your tax return. However, some tax returns require additional review and may take longer to process.

You can generally expect your tax refund within 21 days of e-filing if you:

  • Filed electronically
  • Chose direct deposit for your refund
  • Accurately reported your income and withholding

Paper tax returns take 4-6 weeks to process, so your refund will arrive later if you mailed your return.

How to check your federal tax refund status?

The easiest way to track your refund is to use the IRS Where’s My Refund tool at IRS.gov. This tax refund tracker shows the progress of your refund after you enter your Social Security Number, filing status, and exact refund amount.

Where’s My Refund displays your return status in three stages:

  • Return Received – The IRS has your tax return and is processing it.
  • Refund Approved – Your refund has been approved and your check will be sent shortly.
  • Refund Sent – Your refund check was mailed to the address on file or your refund was electronically deposited.

You can start checking your federal refund status 24 hours after e-filing or 4 weeks after mailing your return. Where’s My Refund updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Refunds

Why is my refund delayed?

Here are some reasons your tax refund might be delayed:

  • Your tax return needs additional review for accuracy or verification.
  • You filed a paper return which takes longer to process.
  • Your return is incomplete or missing required documents.
  • You claimed certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit.
  • Involves a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, which could take up to 14 weeks to process
  • You made a mistake in reporting income, deductions or withholding.

The IRS will send you a letter explaining any issues delaying your refund. Respond quickly so your return can continue processing.

Where's my refund?

When should I contact the IRS about my refund?

The IRS recommends only contacting them about your refund if:

  • It’s been 21 days since an e-filed return or 6 weeks since mailing a return.
  • Where’s my refund shows your refund was sent but you haven’t received it within 5 days of the expected date.

You can call the IRS, use the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund status, or contact your tax preparer for assistance. Make sure you have your Social Security Number handy when you call.

Can where's my refund track a previous year's tax refund?

Where’s my refund tool now provides refund information for the three most recent tax years. It is also available in Spanish. To track a tax refund from a previous year, you can also call the IRS refund hotline at 800-829-1954. You will need to provide your Social Security Number and the exact refund amount shown on your tax return from that year.

What if my refund was stolen or lost?

Contact the IRS immediately if your refund check is lost, stolen, destroyed, or you received the wrong amount. The IRS can put a stop on the check and re-issue your refund.

Get your refund faster - File your return electronically

Filing electronically and using direct deposit for your refund is the fastest way to get your money. The IRS issues 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days for taxpayers who e-file. Make sure you provide the IRS with your bank account number and routing number so your refund is directly deposited.

Using the IRS Where’s My Refund tool helps you track your tax refund status anytime. Be sure to have basic information from your tax return handy when checking your status. Monitor your refund progress closely and contact the IRS if your refund is delayed longer than expected.